Tonči Zonjić

Tonči Zonjić
BornApril 13, 1986 (1986-04-13) (age 38)
Metković, Croatia
Area(s)Cartoonist, Writer, Penciller, Artist, Inker, Letterer, Colourist
Notable works
The Immortal Iron Fist
The Jake Ellis series
Lobster Johnson
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Skulldigger and Skeleton Boy
CollaboratorsJohn Arcudi, Kathryn Immonen, Darko Macan, Nathan Edmondson
http://www.to-zo.com/

Tonči Zonjić is a Croatian comic book artist, writer and illustrator living in Toronto, Canada. He is best known for his work on Mike Mignola's Lobster Johnson series, and the Eisner Award-nominated Jake Ellis series. He designed the Praetorian Guards in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Episode VIII).

Early life

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Zonjić grew up in Opuzen, Croatia. He developed an interest in comics through the work of Edvin Biuković and Darko Macan.[1] After high school, he moved to Zagreb where he studied Animation and New Media at the Academy of Fine Arts.

Career

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Zonjić started out as an illustrator at the age of 15, publishing a cover for the magazine Futura, and got into comics by creating a fanzine called Pipci! (Tentacles!) in 2004.[2] His first full finished book - an educational story about sea diving for kids that he coloured and lettered himself - completed in 2006, was published only in 2021.[3][4][5] In Croatia, he worked on several projects with Darko Macan as well as storyboards, advertisements, book covers,[6] weekly newspaper portraits for Vecernji List[7] and various other comic strips.[2][8]

While still a university student, Zonjić entered the American market in 2008 as one of the artists for Marvel's The Immortal Iron Fist series by Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction.

In 2009 and 2010 he drew graphic novels from scripts by Roberto Aguire-Sacasa (Marvel Divas) and Kathryn Immonen (Heralds), as well as shorter stories with popular characters (Loki, Superman, Daredevil, Madman).

With Nathan Edmondson, he co-created Who is Jake Ellis?, a graphic novel which was nominated for the 2012. Eisner Award for the Best Limited Series,[9] as well as its sequel, Where is Jake Ellis?. The series was optioned for a movie adaptation in 2013. by Harry Potter director David Yates.[10]

Concurrently with the Jake Ellis series, in 2010. Zonjić was hired as the main artist on Mike Mignola's Lobster Johnson series, written by John Arcudi, which expanded on the character introduced in Hellboy: Conqueror Worm. Both Arcudi and Zonjić remained on the book until 2018, and the complete series was collected in two oversized omnibus editions[11] in 2022 and 2023.

Between 2019 and 2021 Zonjić was the artist on Jeff Lemire's Skulldigger and Skeleton Boy,[12] part of the Black Hammer Universe.

Another notable comics work in the same period was as one of the contributors adapting director Duncan Jones' movie script MADI: Once Upon a Time in the Future into a standalone graphic novel.[13]

In addition to comics interiors, Zonjić has continued to produce covers for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Skybound, Boom! studios, Archaia, Valiant, ONI comics, Tiny Onion, and other publishers.

Movie work

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Zonjić was part of the costume department on Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, under costume designer Michael Kaplan, and designed the iconic Praetorian Guards, among other things.

He also contributed to SOLO: A Star Wars Story, for costume designers Glyn Dillon (The Batman), and David Crossman (Star Wars, 1917).

Personal life

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Zonjić lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[2]

Bibliography

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Interior comic work includes:

Covers only

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References

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  1. ^ Romberger, James (2015-02-20). "Tonči Zonjić: The Total Approach". The Comics Journal. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  2. ^ a b c "Repped Artists: Tonči Zonjić" Splash Page Comic Art.
  3. ^ Zonjić, Tonči (May 11, 2006). "Scubarr". 86 35.
  4. ^ Arrant, Chris (February 8, 2011). "Croatian Artist Draws Out the Mystery of WHO IS JAKE ELLIS?". Newsarama.
  5. ^ "Orka Specijal 42 Martina Mjesec". www.fibra.hr. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  6. ^ Book covers — tonci zonjic
  7. ^ The newspaper — tonci zonjic
  8. ^ Salvatore, Brian; Harper, David (March 14, 2012). "Mignolaversity: Interview with Tonci Zonjic [Exclusive Art]". Multiversity Comics.
  9. ^ Cavna, Michael (2023-06-30). "EISNER AWARDS: And your 2012 nominees are..." Washington Post. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  10. ^ Chitwood, Adam (2013-10-03). "HARRY POTTER Director David Yates to Helm WHO IS JAKE ELLIS? Comic Adaptation". Collider. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  11. ^ "Lobster Johnson Omnibus Volume 1 HC :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics". www.darkhorse.com. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  12. ^ "Skulldigger and Skeleton Boy: From the World of Black Hammer Volume 1 TPB :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics". www.darkhorse.com. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  13. ^ "Duncan Jones and Alex de Campi Walk Us Through the Sci-Fi Road Trip of "MADI: Once Upon A Time In The Future"". Multiversity Comics. 2021-04-29. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  14. ^ Zonjić, Tonči (July 12, 2006). "Slatka #6". 86 35.
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